The greatest era in Watford's history ended 27 years ago today as Graham Taylor left to join Aston Villa

Graham Taylor resigned from Watford to be appointed as the new manager of relegated Aston Villa.

His unparalleled ten years at the helm had seen Watford win three promotions, finish second in the Football League, play in European competition and reach an FA Cup final as well as two further cup semi-finals. Taylor took Steve Harrison and John Ward from his coaching staff to Villa Park.

His replacement was confirmed as Wimbledon boss Dave Bassett, once an amateur on Watford's books, whose appointment chairman Elton John had championed.

In eight months as manager, Bassett would oversee the dismantling of Taylor's team and staff and the recruitment of largely inadequate replacements. In taking on the enormous challenge of replacing Taylor, he provided Watford fans with a scapegoat for the next 20 years.

Reproduced by kind permission of Matt Rowson from his book, Watford FC On This Day

The board were to blame for appointing Bassett. They couldn't tell the difference between Taylor's quick counter attacking football (similar to Deeney's goal in the play-off match at Vicarage Road against Leicester) and Wimbledon's, hoof it down the middle to a thug who would bundle it into the net. The press had labelled both Watford and Wimbledon as 'route one, long ball teams' and the board believed what was being written.

The board were to blame for appointing Bassett. They couldn't tell the difference between Taylor's quick counter attacking football (similar to Deeney's goal in the play-off match at Vicarage Road against Leicester) and Wimbledon's, hoof it down the middle to a thug who would bundle it into the net. The press had labelled both Watford and Wimbledon as 'route one, long ball teams' and the board believed what was being written.SamTheEagle